Pistol with aiming stripe

ABSTRACT

A pistol with aiming stripe has a frame, a slide operable to reciprocate on the frame, the slide having an elongated top surface, the slide top surface having a forward end and an opposed rear end, and an aiming stripe having a contrasting appearance relative to the slide top surface and extending along a medial path along the slide top surface from proximate to the front end to proximate to the rear end. The slide may include a front sight proximate to the front end and a rear sight proximate to the rear end, and the aiming stripe extending from the front sight to the rear sight. The slide may define an elongated medial recess receiving the aiming stripe. The aiming stripe may be a film applied to the slide. The aiming stripe may be an articulated surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/255,100 filed on Oct. 13, 2021, entitled “WEAPON ENHANCEMENT WITH A LINE SIGHT,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all that is taught and disclosed therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to an aiming stripe that increases a user's sight picture acquisition speed.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Firearm sights are devices that assist a user with accurately aiming a host firearm at a target. A firearm sight usually employs front and rear sight elements that the user aligns to aim the host firearm. These are frequently made of a rugged material incorporated into the host firearm and are referred to as “iron sights.” Accurate usage of “iron sights” can require considerable experience and skill. The user must simultaneously align and focus the rear sight, the front sight, and a target, all of which are at different distances.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved pistol with aiming stripe that increases a user's sight picture acquisition speed. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the pistol with aiming stripe according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of increasing a user's sight picture acquisition speed.

The present invention provides an improved pistol with aiming stripe, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved pistol with aiming stripe that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a frame, a slide operable to reciprocate on the frame, the slide having an elongated top surface, the slide top surface having a forward end and an opposed rear end, and an aiming stripe having a contrasting appearance relative to the slide top surface and extending along a medial path along the slide top surface from proximate to the front end to proximate to the rear end. The slide may include a front sight proximate to the front end and a rear sight proximate to the rear end, and the aiming stripe extending from the front sight to the rear sight. The slide may define an elongated medial recess receiving the aiming stripe. The aiming stripe may be a film applied to the slide. The aiming stripe may be an articulated surface. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the current embodiment of a pistol with aiming stripe constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in use attached to a host firearm.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the pistol with aiming stripe of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the slide of the pistol with aiming stripe taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a side enlarged view of an alternative embodiment of a pistol with aiming stripe constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. This alternative embodiment is also described as a “dragon back” pattern further detailed in paragraph [0020].

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the pistol with aiming stripe of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the improved pistol with aiming stripe 10 of the present invention. More particularly, the pistol with aiming stripe 10 has an aiming stripe 12 on the top 14 of a firearm 16. In the illustrations, the firearm is a P365 XL semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Sig Sauer of Newington, N.H. For maximum effectiveness, the aiming stripe's color contrasts with the color of the firearm, with yellow being a preferred color for a black host firearm. Regarding color, any contrasting color will function properly and provide benefit. The aiming stripe connects the front iron sight 18 to the center 20 of the rear iron sights 22. The visual connection between the front and rear iron sights is what is believed to increase the user's sight picture acquisition speed. In the current embodiment, the aiming stripe is ⅛ inch wide, but the aiming stripe could be wider or narrower depending on the characteristics of the host firearm and the user's preference.

The aiming stripe 12 can be created on the top 14 of the host firearm 16 in a variety of ways. For a host firearm having a slide 24, the following options can be employed:

1. Paint/color the aiming stripe 12 on the top 14 of the slide 24 with no other modifications to the firearm 16. A suitable material choice for the aiming stripe would be a thin film, ceramic polymer hybrid coating manufactured by Cerakote of White City, Oreg.

2. Mill/cut a raised ridge on the top 14 of the slide 24, and then paint the ridge with paint/coloring to create the aiming stripe 12.

3. Mill/cut a shallow elongated medial recess 32 in the top 14 of the slide 24, and then paint in the channel with paint/coloring to create the aiming stripe 12. This option will provide an aiming stripe 12 with more durability over the first and second options and is shown in FIGS. 1-3 .

4. Mill/cut a deeper channel in the top 14 of the slide 24, and then paint in the channel with paint/coloring. By having a recessed aiming stripe 12, it would make the aiming stripe less visible from different angles, such as from the side. This would be advantageous if it is desired to have the host firearm 16 (and the aiming stripe) be harder to detect by a potential assailant in low light situations.

5. Mill/cut a stair step or “dragon back” pattern in the top 14 of the slide 24 with paint/color applied only on the user's/shooter's side of the portions/steps 34. This is an alternative embodiment of the improved pistol with aiming stripe 100 of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 4 .

It should be appreciated that the firearm/pistol 16 has a frame 26. The slide 24 is operable to reciprocate on the frame. The top 14 of the firearm is an elongated top surface of the slide in the current embodiment. The slide top surface has a forward end 28 and an opposed rear end 30. The aiming stripe 12 has a contrasting appearance relative to the slide top surface and extending along a medial path along the slide top surface from proximate to the front end to proximate to the rear end. The slide includes the front iron sight 18 proximate to the front end and the rear iron sights 22 proximate to the rear end. The aiming stripe extends from the front iron sight to the rear iron sights. The slide defines an elongated medial recess 32 receiving the aiming stripe. In various embodiments, the aiming stripe is a film applied to the slide or an articulated surface. The aiming stripe can include a plurality of portions angled with respect to the slide top surface. The aiming stripe can include a plurality of portions angled rearward with respect to the slide top surface. The aiming stripe can include a plurality of portions facing rearward. The aiming stripe can include a plurality of portions 36 visible from the rear of the contrasting appearance, and a plurality of second portions 38 visible from the front and having a different appearance. The second portions can have a low-visibility appearance.

Although an aiming stripe 12 that is a solid line has been disclosed, another option to visually connect the front and rear iron sights 18, 22, or to provide a visual line of sight supporting a red dot-style sight, would be to use a linear sequence of patterns having the contrasting appearance. These could include triangles, dots, dashes, arrows, ovals, or any other suitable symbols. If painting/coloring to create the contrasting appearance is undesirable, a similar visual connection between the front and rear iron sights can be achieved by adding etching, notching, milling, watermarks, gloss or matte finishes, tape, stickers, or any other visual variation that creates contrast for the human eye between the unmodified top of the host firearm and the visual variation.

The problem with traditional firearm sights is they rely solely on user training to create muscle memory to get the sight picture close—and only then can the iron and red dot sights be used to complete the sight picture. This is an imperfect way to acquire the sight picture, and it is especially difficult with red dot sights. Instead, it is better to use the human eye continuously in a supporting role throughout the firearm presentation and sight alignment process. The aiming stripe 12 fulfills this role. Using the aiming stripe is intuitive and requires almost no explanation or training to use effectively. Starting from the low ready position, the aiming stripe can be used to pre-witness and align the sight picture, especially horizontally. As the user presses the firearm 16 forward, the aiming stripe continues to provide visual feedback to help align the firearm on the target. As the firearm approaches the final sight picture, the aiming stripe visually flattens (indicating vertical alignment) and ultimately disappears from view. This visual flattening and disappearance allows the iron or red dot sight to be the only item remaining in view upon completion of the sight picture.

Although the aiming stripe 12 can be used in training to improve muscle memory and firearm presentation technique, the aiming stripe is not just a temporary training tool. It is a permanent improvement to the host firearm for acquiring the sight picture. The philosophy of “train like you fight, and fight like you train” applies perfectly to use of the aiming stripe. According to informal tests, the aiming stripe enables 19% faster sight acquisition over iron sights alone. The aiming stripe provides even greater improvement for awkward shooting positions that do not incorporate muscle memory from previous training. It will help reduce the FBI calculated statistic that, “Law Enforcement Officers miss between 70 and 80 percent of the shots fired during a shooting incident.” There is a saying that there is the “Quick and the Dead.” The aiming stripe enables the shooter to be quick. Iron sights are accurate, but are not fast. Red dot sights are more accurate, but are even slower. The aiming stripe enables both speed and accuracy.

The aiming stripe 12 provides four distinct ways to improve target acquisition speed:

1. Improve acquisition speed of iron sights by allowing the user to pre-witness the sight picture as they are presenting the firearm.

2. Improve acquisition speed of a red dot sight by allowing the user to pre-witness the sight picture through the lens as they are presenting the firearm. It will help eliminate the “where's my red dot” problem plaguing the red dot sight industry.

3. The aiming stripe 12 can be used exclusively for enhanced point shooting whenever using traditional sights is not possible or recommended. Force-on-force training teaches point shooting will happen in high stress situations.

4. The aiming stripe 12 can be used exclusively to shoot from the low ready position, possibly surreptitiously. In select situations, this approach can be a high percentage shot if the target is at close range (with fear of disarmament), making speed of utmost concern. It is important to understand that the aiming stripe is fairly accurate on a left-to-right basis even from the low ready position. It is also important to understand that target accuracy on center line is arguably more important than on center mass.

A research study from ForceScience.org titled, “Ambushes Leading Cause of Officer Fatalities—When Every Second Counts,” confirmed that point shooting was significantly faster than aimed shooting, and that the low ready position was the fastest from which to fire. Therefore, the aiming stripe 12 is uniquely able to provide tactical enhancement for law enforcement officers and civilians faced with an ambush.

The aiming stripe 12 provides an advantage in low light situations also, which normally present a significant problem for iron sights. Consider the following scenarios:

-   -   A parking lot at night that is poorly lit.     -   A suburban street or driveway at night with lighting in the         distance from a streetlight.     -   An urban sidewalk at night with random lighting and random         shadows.     -   A parking garage (day or night) with bad lighting.

Besides being potentially dangerous because they are transitional spaces, the above situations are not bright enough to effectively illuminate iron sights, yet are not dark enough for self-luminous sights to properly glow and stand out. The aiming stripe 12 helps compensate for this problem. Since the aiming stripe resides on a horizontal plane, it is uniquely positioned to reflect light which typically comes from overhead. The aiming stripe reflects light better than the face of the front iron sight. The face of the front iron sight resides on a vertical plane, and therefore is likely to be hidden in its own shadow and unable to reflect light properly. In these low light situations, the aiming stripe will be able to guide the shooter to the front iron sight, which otherwise may not be easily visible.

The aiming stripe 12 is also beneficial for inexperienced gun owners. With record gun sales fueled by first-time owners, it is important to consider the customer skill level range when designing a firearm that meets their needs. Even the best shooters use their sights sometimes, and all other shooters rely on their sights consistently. The aiming stripe completes the sight ensemble that nearly every shooter needs.

The aiming stripe 12 also assists users with declining eyesight. In Shot Daily magazine 2022 (Day 4, page 8), an article describes a market opportunity for the biggest customer demographic: Baby Boomers. The article said that because of their age and decreasing vision, Baby Boomers “can no longer achieve a good sight picture because both the front and rear sights are blurry.” The aiming stripe is uniquely capable of guiding an older shooter quickly to sights that may not be clearly visible.

In the context of the specification, the terms “rear” and “rearward,” and “front” and “forward,” have the following definitions: “rear” or “rearward” means in the direction away from the muzzle of the firearm while “front” or “forward” means it is in the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm.

While a current embodiment of a pistol with aiming stripe has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Although pistols have been disclosed, the aiming stripe is also suitable for use with all types of firearms and point-and-shoot weapons, including stun guns, tasers, pepper sprayers, and paintball guns. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A pistol comprising: a frame; a slide operable to reciprocate on the frame; the slide having an elongated top surface; the slide top surface having a forward end and an opposed rear end; and an aiming stripe having a contrasting appearance relative to the slide top surface and extending along a medial path along the slide top surface from proximate to the front end to proximate to the rear end.
 2. The pistol of claim 1 wherein the slide includes a front sight proximate to the front end and a rear sight proximate to the rear end, and the aiming stripe extending from the front sight to the rear sight.
 3. The pistol of claim 1 wherein the slide defines an elongated medial recess receiving the aiming stripe.
 4. The pistol of claim 1 wherein the aiming stripe is a film applied to the slide.
 5. The pistol of claim 1 wherein the aiming stripe is an articulated surface.
 6. The pistol of claim 1 wherein the aiming stripe includes a plurality of portions angled with respect to the slide top surface.
 7. The pistol of claim 1 wherein the aiming stripe includes a plurality of portions angled rearward with respect to the slide top surface.
 8. The pistol of claim 1 wherein the aiming stripe includes a plurality of portions facing rearward.
 9. The pistol of claim 1 wherein the aiming stripe includes a plurality of portions visible from the rear of the contrasting appearance, and a plurality of second portions visible from the front and having a different appearance.
 10. The pistol of claim 10 wherein the second portions have a low-visibility appearance.
 11. A slide for pistol comprising: a slide body having an elongated top surface; the slide top surface having a forward end and an opposed rear end; an aiming stripe having a contrasting appearance relative to the slide top surface and extending along a medial path along the slide top surface from proximate to the front end to proximate to the rear end.
 12. The slide for a pistol of claim 11 wherein the slide includes a front sight proximate to the front end and a rear sight proximate to the rear end, and the aiming stripe extending from the front sight to the rear sight.
 13. The slide for a pistol of claim 11 wherein the slide defines an elongated medial recess receiving the aiming stripe.
 14. The slide for a pistol of claim 11 wherein the aiming stripe is a film applied to the slide.
 15. The slide for a pistol of claim 11 wherein the aiming stripe is an articulated surface.
 16. The slide for a pistol of claim 11 wherein the aiming stripe includes a plurality of portions angled with respect to the slide top surface.
 17. The slide for a pistol of claim 11 wherein the aiming stripe includes a plurality of portions angled rearward with respect to the slide top surface.
 18. The slide for a pistol of claim 11 wherein the aiming stripe includes a plurality of portions facing rearward.
 19. The slide for a pistol of claim 11 wherein the aiming stripe includes a plurality of portions visible from the rear of the contrasting appearance, and a plurality of second portions visible from the front and having a different appearance.
 20. The slide for a pistol of claim 19 wherein the second portions have a low-visibility appearance. 